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Original poster

Job interview fears...

24 replies

coveredinhopeandvaseline · 18/05/2016 18:39

I have a lesson obs tomorrow morning followed by an interview in the afternoon. Looking at the timings, I'm assuming I am the first candidate of 3 to do the lesson and interview.

My sister, also a teacher, has said something that has worried me...that schools usually do them in order, keeping the strongest candidate to the end so that they can offer them the job on the spot.

So I feel defeated before I've even begun and worry that there is possibly no point even bothering if I'm already third runner up.

Can anyone confirm this to be the norm or assuage my fears and give me a glimmer of hope?

OP posts:
katemiddletonsnudeheels · 18/05/2016 18:39

No, not at all. They are usually alphabetical.

Lilaclily · 18/05/2016 18:41

It's a shame your sister decided to tell you that really
I believe it to be nonsense tbh

teacher54321 · 18/05/2016 18:42

What a daft thing to say. IME it's either random or alphabetical. Good luck tomorrow!!

Lilaclily · 18/05/2016 18:43

Did she have anything else more constructive to say ?!

Original poster
coveredinhopeandvaseline · 18/05/2016 18:47

Thank you all! You've shaken off some of that ennui for me!

She didn't say it callously, she said it a while ago, not in relation to me going for this job. She was speaking about the school where she works, as that's how they interview...I think she just assumed it was general practise based on that.

OP posts:
beesarethebest · 18/05/2016 18:51

Of course it's not true. It's random. Some people may request for particular times due to their other commitments. Others due to time difference, it would make sense to ensure that its not too early or late for both parties!

Good luck!

Maidupmum · 18/05/2016 18:52

I'm a HT. We do it in alphabetical order unless 1 candidate has a particular need to go out of order. Good luck!

Ilikesweetpeas · 18/05/2016 18:52

I'm a teacher- it would be a random order in our school. We've just appointed the first candidate interviewed from a choice of 5 so don't worry! Good luck!

Original poster
coveredinhopeandvaseline · 18/05/2016 18:59

Thanks guys! I think it's just the nerves getting to me as well, I'm just over thinking everything! I will have a gin and tonic and an early night methinks!

OP posts:
PurpleAlerts · 18/05/2016 19:01

I was recently interviewed for a job. I was the first on the list. Had a lesson obs followed by an interview. There were then two other similar obs and interviews. It was done alphabetically. (and I got the job!)

The last three interviews I have been to they told me they would let me know by the end of the day- which I believe is common.

How very tactless and unhelpful of your sister to say such a thing. Hmm

superram · 18/05/2016 19:14

In the olden days everyone sat in the room and waited to be called. Now they usually just let you leave and ring you.

MrsGuyOfGisbo · 18/05/2016 19:27

Had may job interviews outside teaching. None so brutal as the single teaching one I did, which was like and Agatha Christie, as they disappeared one by one...( I got the job, but wish I hadn't!)
Teaching recruitment needs to be updated to the 21st century.

Original poster
coveredinhopeandvaseline · 18/05/2016 19:46

Glad it's not like that now! It must have been awful, all sat looking at each other, waiting to have your hopes and dreams trampled almost publicly!

I got the first teaching job I every applied/interviewed for, it was a one year contract and I got pregnant midway through. I've been on maternity leave (without a job to return to) since the summer so have started looking for jobs for September. I had an interview a few weeks ago, I was the first candidate and didn't get the job, which was why it worried me this time when I noticed I'd be going first!

OP posts:
BlackDoglet · 18/05/2016 19:49

Absolutely not true. As PP said, it's either random or alphabetical. Only way this may change, is if a candidate has a particularly long journey so he or she may request they are seen earlier/later.
Good luck!

TheSnowFairy · 18/05/2016 20:14

Definitely not true at ours. The last interview I was involved in, the first candidate got the job (out of 8).

Good luck!

ceebie · 19/05/2016 13:10

In any case, even if it WAS true, it must be pretty difficult to rank candidates before you've met them. A Head of Science was telling me about a really well qualified candidate they were very excited about interviewing, only to find that this person was unable to answer the most basic interview questions and appeared so lacking in confidence that they were almost unable to teach! So ranking candidates may well prove to be rather pointless in any case.

ceebie · 19/05/2016 13:10

oh and good luck!

Original poster
coveredinhopeandvaseline · 19/05/2016 15:27

Thought I'd come back and tell you all....
I got the blimmin' job!! Delighted.

Thank you for calming me down and preventing me from turning tail. I feel rather silly now! :)

OP posts:
StripeyTed · 19/05/2016 15:52

Congratulations! Star

teacher54321 · 19/05/2016 18:47

Great news! Well done 😊

beesarethebest · 19/05/2016 19:07

Well done!!

WipsGlitter · 19/05/2016 19:13

Well done!

Original poster
coveredinhopeandvaseline · 19/05/2016 19:54

Thanks! I'm delighted :)

OP posts:
Ilikesweetpeas · 19/05/2016 20:08

Super! Well done

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